Where we have been…

Thursday 5th to Tuesday 10th October 2017

The Trulli of Alberobello

The Prehistoric Tradition of Dry Stone Architecture

From the UNESCO World Heritage list: “The site is of outstanding universal value being an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world”.

Trulli are vernacular buildings characterised by quadrilateral shape, covered by conic roofs, and constructed using roughly worked limestone boulders collected from the neighbouring fields. Later, as large water-collecting basins were created in the area, they were built directly on the underlying natural rock, using drywall technique exclusively. They constitute a very peculiar architectural expression; on the one side, they were created upon the tradition of ancient technologies and typologies, dating back to the prehistoric age and surviving through time in this southern Italian region without any interruption; on the other side, the current situation led to a wide geographical distribution in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The most touristy part of Alberobello is Rione Monti, a district on a slope facing the modern town centre. It consists of several narrow lanes sloping upwards, with others winding along the hillside, and is extremely picturesque both from afar and close up.

We will be staying at the 4* Hotel Ramapendula, which is just 10 min walk form the town centre. Recently built, the Hotel Ramapendula has spacious and confortable rooms, all elegantly furnished, air condition, private bathroom, tv, telephone, hairdryer and free wi-fi in all the hotel.

The restaurant serves delicious mediterranean cuisine with authentic flavours from the earth and sea of Puglia, prepared from the Chef in a warm and familiar atmosphere.

The TANGO CLASSES (8 hs tuition) will be held in the Hotel in sessions of 1.30/ 2 hours, according to the programme of the day. Intensive and very personalised tuition!!!

The dance 70sq meters floor will also be available every evening for us to dance and practice!

WHAT TO DO……

Alberobello itself is a magic town to visit. In the modern part of town, the 18th-century­ Trullo Sovrano is the only two-floor trullo, built by a wealthy priest’s family. It’s a small museum providing an insight into trullo life, with sweet, rounded rooms that include a recreated bakery, bedroom and kitchen. The souvenir shop here has a wealth of literature on the town and surrounding area, plus Alberobello recipe books. There is also the interesting museum of the Country Life, to show the traditional lifestyle and artisan work of the people living in the trullo in the past.

Ostuni, Wine tasting Olive oil Factory

We are planning different excursions (not included) to get to know the wonders of the Itria Valley surrounding Alberobello. Travel in a coach to Ostuni, “the white city”for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. The region around Ostuni has been inhabited since the Stone age. The town is reputed to have been originally established by the Messapii a pre-classic tribe, and destroyed by Hannibal during the Punic wars. It was then re-built by the Greeks, the name Ostuni deriving from the Greek Astu néon (“new town”).

Ostuni also has an industrial zone; the region is producer of high quality olive oil and wine. That is why, we will be having luch and wine tasting locally and will visit a local Olive Oil factory.

The Caves of Castellana & Polignano a Mare

The Grotte di Castellana are one of the most important attractions of Puglia and natural heritage of inestimable value to Italy.

Located at the entrance of the Itria Valley, the Grotte di Castellana began to form about 90 million years ago.

The beauty of the Caves of Castellana attracts tourists from all over the world. A unique guided tour of the caves in an amazing scenario made of stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils, canyons and caves with fantastic names; calcifications from conformations and amazing colors solicit the imagination of children and adults.

During the exploration, at a constant temperature of around 16 ° -18 °, you will fell wonder and astonishment for the great show the nature give; in hundreds of millions of years the nature has shaped the rock into fantastic speleothems.

The Caves of Castellana are a good opportunity to enjoy one of the most amazing natural wonders of a wonderful Puglia.

The fantastic old town of Polignano, sited on its rocky promontory is always going to be the star attraction of this ancient town which was probably founded originally and part of Ancient Greece as the town of “Neapolis”, in fact many people still see a Greek flavour to the design and layout of the town.

As we always do, we are also planning to spend a night out at a LOCAL MILONGA (in Noci and/or Bari TBC)

As soon as you arrive in Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the European highest active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea.

Taormina really seems to be born as a tourist resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose it as their residential site thank to its favourable position, mild climate and magic atmosphere. Nowadays visitors can still find fine examples of Taormina’s golden times: the splendid Greek Theatre, the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, and many others.

The resort was first publicised by German artists. In 1787 J.W. Goethe discovered the beauties of Sicily and, in particular, of Taormina. He wrote the world known novel “Italian Journey”, in which he describes the beauties of this land and its people and pronounced Taormina a “patch of paradise”.

You can visit also the gardens of Villa Comunale which originally was the park of the private house of Lady Florence Trevelyan, a noble English lady, Queen Victoria’s cousin, who lived in Taormina from 1884 to 1907.

Pass through ancient craters, lava flows and lush forests as you make your way to Mount Etna. Marvel at breathtaking views from the foothills of the mountain and see the rich vegetation in this fertile volcanic soil.

In the past, frequent eruptions caused structural damage to the houses on the flanks of the volcano and today Mount Etna is still in a constant state of activity.

For a complete picture of Sicily’s unspoiled beauty, take a stroll through the charming town of Taormina and admire the fascinating Sicilian coast.

A funicular links Taormina with the Mazzaro Beach (Taormina’s cristal clear water Beach) in just 2 minutes. There, you can visit the natural park of Isolabella or travel a bit further towards the popular tourist destination of Giardini Naxos.

It might be possible to book a show at the Theatre San Giorgio to enjoy the most famous arias of the italian Opera tradition.

As we always do, we are also planning to spend a night out at a LOCAL MILONGA (in Messina or in Catania TBC)

All the activities planned will be performed in a friendly and joyful atmosphere, relaxed, no hurry, nice and easy!

We love Tango, Culture, Good food and Good friends to share all this with. You too? So, welcome on board!

We will chose a flight for the group, in order to offer a group transfer from/to the Airport. Should you decide to fly independently, transfer from Catania to Taormina (50Km) with shuttle, taxi, train is very easy and has a reasonable price.

The price of the Holiday is £695 pp (double/twin shared accommodation) if booked before 30th March

From 1st April the price is £725pp
Single room supplement £150
Deposit £280 pp (non refundable)

We invite you to discover the beautiful Malcesine, a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Garda in Northern Italy. It’s a picturesque tourist resort with cobbled lanes and a castle, crammed between the blue lake waters and the massive mountain ridge behind, Monte Baldo.

There are four principal tourist activities for visitors to Malcesine: wander the town’s lanes; catch the boat to other lake resorts; take the cable-car up to the heights of Monte Baldo.

There are pretty little squares, cafes, restaurants and gelaterie. The main harbour is typical of Lake Garda: small, attractive, filled with boats and lined with cafes. A short distance away is the old port, a quieter spot with good lake views, curious sculptures and more restaurants.

Malcesine’s most striking feature as you approach over Lake Garda is its historic castle, the Castello Scaligero, which is also the town’s main tourist attraction. The building takes its name from the della Scala family, who owned it and made alterations in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries; the castle was being used, restored and adapted for military purposes up until the nineteenth century. Nowadays it is open to the public as a museum.

Malcesine, with its historic and romantic twists and turns is, and has been, a place of interest and refuge for artists. In 1786 the poet Wolfgang Goethe left several drawings of the area which are preserved in the Scaligero Museum. Gustav Klimt, the Viennese exponent of Art Nouveau, also spent some time in Malcesine and did some beautiful paintings of Malcesine.

A cableway runs from Malcesine up to Monte Baldo, dimbing from 100m to 1760m. This is a great excursion. A panoramic path leads along the flower-strewn ridge to a lovely viewpoint about 20 minutes’ easy walk away. For those who fancy the exercise, there is a footpath comfortable to follow for 1 hour, with very good views.

We will stay at the newly built ASTORIA Hotel, which is frequented by an international clientele but retains the warm and friendly atmosphere of a family run place. At only 3 Km from Malcesine, the Hotel Astoria enjoy a superb lakeside location just cross from the beach. The centre of the village is easily reached thanks to the newly built path, reserved for cyclists and pedestrians, with great scenery all the way.

The Hotel has a large bar with terrace facing the lake, an attractive dining room where guests can enjoy the excellent traditional cuisine.

All the bedrooms have an en suite shower and wc, hairdryer, balcony with lake or mountain view, satellite TV, telephone, radio, safe and air conditioning.

Outside, tranquillity and relaxation are the order of the day. You can sunbathe by the swimming pool surrounded by large gardens or sit, drink in hand, under the shade of ancient olive trees.

The town Council of Malcesine offers a ‘Tourist Bus’ service which covers most of the area every hour until the early hours of the morning. Bus Stop at the Hotel Astoria which a few stops away from the Castle in Malcesine centre.

The TANGO CLASSES (6 hs tuition) will be held in the Hotel, in sessions of 2 hours, in the morning or afternoon, depending on the programme of the day. Intensive and very personalised tuition!!!

The programme of the classes matches the atmosphere of relaxation and well being that we wish to enjoy in this weekend. We will work mainly on the feeling of the dance from a correct posture, to find the connection with our dancing partner without loosing our axes, our own centre of energy.

The dance floor will also be available any time of the day if you wish to practice. As well, every evening we will have a social dance. We are checking the possibility of a night out at a local milonga. More details will be confirmed soon.

All the activities planned will be performed in a friendly and joyful atmosphere, relaxed, no hurry, nice and easy!

We love Tango, Culture, Good food and Good friends to share all this with. You too? So, welcome on board!

We will chose a flight for the group, in order to offer a group transfer from/to the Airport. Should you decide to fly independently, transfer from Verona Airport to Malcesine with public transports or shuttle is very easy.